Rechargeable AC/DC pump

ABSTRACT

A pump uses a power source to deliver power to a second power source while driving a fluid displacement device. The pump includes a fluid displacement device and a circuit coupled to a first power source and a second power source. The first power source may draw a first current from the second power source. The second power source supplies power to the fluid displacement device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This application relates to pumps, and more particularly to a portablepump that may be controlled by multiple power sources.

2. Related Art

Portable pumps may be used to inflate objects. Some pumps may be poweredby rechargeable batteries. After the batteries discharge, the pump maybe connected to an external power source to recharge the batteries. Thecharging period may last for an extended period of time, during whichthe pump is inoperable.

Some pumps resolve this problem by providing a connection to an externalpower source that recharges the batteries in a shorter time period.While these pumps reduce charging time, the pump remains inoperableduring the recharging period.

Therefore, there is a need for a portable pump that operates during arecharging process.

SUMMARY

A pump uses a power source to deliver power to a second power sourcewhile driving a fluid displacement device. The pump includes a fluiddisplacement device and a circuit coupled to a first power source and asecond power source. The first power source may draw a first currentfrom the second power source. The second power source supplies power tothe fluid displacement device.

An alternate pump includes a fluid displacement device and a circuitcoupled to a first or a second power source while coupled to a thirdpower source. The first or second power source provides a chargingcurrent to the third power source while delivering current to the fluiddisplacement device.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention willbe, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, likereferenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable object.

FIG. 2 is a partial block diagram of a pump coupled to a power source.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a pump.

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic of circuitry interfacing the pump.

FIG. 5 is an alternative schematic of alternative circuitry interfacingthe pump.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of logic that may control the pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A pump may fill inflatable objects with air or gas. The pump, which mayinclude one or more electromechanical pumps, may interface circuits thatroute a portion of a current to a power source while delivering anotherportion of the current to a fluid displacement device. By sharingcurrent with the fluid displacement device, the pump may compress ortransfer fluids during a recharging process.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable object 100. The inflatableobject 100 may comprise an inflatable mattress 102. Any inflatableobject may be used, including objects and devices designed to be filledwith air, gas, or fluids before use. The inflatable mattress 102 mayinclude a top wall 104, a bottom wall 103, and a side gusset 106. Aportable pump may be coupled to the inflatable mattress 102 at a valve108 to receive a fluid or gas.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a pump 200 coupled to charging circuitry. Thepump 200 may interface a circuit 202 that includes a first power source204 in series or parallel with a second power source 206. The pump 200may also include modules that displace a fluid 208, (e.g., a continuoussubstance such as air) from one chamber to another. Alternatively,modules that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy may beused.

An exemplary pump 200 may comprise a motor that has a metal frame, anarmature, a commutator, and brushes. A magnetic device may be mounted onan interior surface of the frame that generates a natural or inducedattraction. The armature may comprise one or more ferromagnetic coreswrapped in a coil that produces a magnetic field when current passesthrough it. Armature coils may be electrically coupled to a power sourceand mechanically coupled to a shaft. A commutator may be coupled to theshaft. The commutator may vary the poles of the armature as the armaturerotates. As a current passes through the armature coils, the attractionof opposite poles and repulsion of like poles between the armature andthe magnetic device (such as one or more field magnets) may create atorque that rotates the armature.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary pump 200. A housing mayinclude upper portion 300 and lower portion 302. The housing may have agenerally cylindrical shape comprising an open end to receive a pumpand/or circuitry. The periphery of upper portion 300, along the openend, may include a lip slightly recessed from the outer surface of upperportion 300. The lip may be inserted into a corresponding grove of lowerportion 302 to permit the mating pieces to fit together. The peripheryof upper portion 300 may be notched to receive receptacle 314. The sideof upper portion 300 opposite the open end may include a circular inletport 304 that may protrude from the upper portion 300 with a smallerdiameter than that of upper portion 300. A fluid may be drawn throughinlet port 304 and propelled by a fluid displacement device, such as amotor 306 and/or an impeller 308, through an outlet port 318.

Impeller 308 may comprise a generally circular shaped base with raisedarc shaped fins that may draw in and/or propel the fluid drawn inthrough inlet port 304. The raised arc shaped fins may have proximateand distal ends. The proximate ends of adjacent fins may be separated bya varying distance or varying gauge. The separation may increase fromthe proximal to distal ends. In some pumps, the separation between thedistal ends of the fins is greater than the separation between theproximate ends.

A first generally star shaped bracket 305 may include a hole or openingpassing through a raised cylindrical area having beveled edges throughwhich the shaft of motor 306 may be received. The first bracket 305 maybe positioned between impeller 308 and motor 306 and act to maintainmotor 306 (cylindrical in shape) concentrically within upper portion300. The first bracket 305 may be configured to permit fluid propelledby impeller 308 to flow along the periphery that separate the arms ofthe first bracket 305 and through an annular shaped cavity. Guides orflanges extending up from the arms may support the impeller 308, whilethe guides or flanges extending down may help support the motor 306.

An internal power source 310 may be configured in a semi-circular shapeto fit within the annular shaped area formed around the concentricity ofmotor 306 within upper portion 300. An inner and outer peripheral areaaround the internal power source 310 permits fluid to flow around theinternal power source (e.g., two channels). In some pumps, an innerannulus bounded by the motor 306 and internal power source 310 issubstantially wider than an outer annulus bounded by the inner surfaceof the upper portion 300 and the internal power source 310.Additionally, a circuit device 312 that burns out or breaks when currentpassing through it exceeds a certain level may be coupled to and locatedproximate the internal power source 310. In other pumps, a circuitbreaker may perform the same function as the circuit device 312.

Upper portion 300 may be configured to partially receive a secondgenerally star shaped bracket 307. The second bracket 307 may have afirst and a second side. The first side may comprise a plurality ofguides or flanges that hold motor 306 and internal power source 310 inplace. The second bracket 307 may be configured to permit fluid to flowalong the periphery that separate the arms of the second bracket 307after being positioned in the pump. The second bracket 307 may alsocomprise a rectangular shaped opening configured to receive a controldevice, such as a switch 316. The switch 316 may protrude away from thesecond side of the second bracket 307 into the lower portion 302.

Lower portion 302 may have a general disk shape (e.g., its height issubstantially less that the height of upper portion 300) with a diameterabout the same as upper portion 300. Lower portion 302 has a first and asecond side. A plurality of rigid protrusions may extend from the firstside of lower portion 302. These protrusions may abut the second side ofthe second bracket 307 when lower portion 302 is positioned on upperportion 300 and receives the lip of upper portion 300. Additionally,lower portion 302 may include a flange extending from the second side oflower portion 302. This flange may be circular shaped and may have adiameter about the same size as inlet port 304. Two inclined protrusionsfollowing the curvature of the flange may extend in a radial directionon opposite sides of the flange. A stop may extend downward in avertical direction on one end of one of the inclined protrusions. Asimilar stop may be position on the opposite end of the other inclinedprotrusion. Together, the inclined protrusions and stops may be used toattach pump 200 to an inflatable object. In some pumps 200, the flangemay form a substantially airtight seal with a receiving inlet.Alternatively, the flange may be configured to attach to the inflatableobject through clips, stitching, adhesive, or mechanical structures.

In FIG. 3, the switch 316 may be used to control the fluid displacementdevice, and is located within the flange, under one of the inclinedprotrusions, so that the fluid displacement device operates when thepump 200 couples an inflatable object. A cover 309 may be provided tocover outlet port 318. This cover 309 may be completely removable or maybe attached by a retaining arm 311 to the upper portion 300, lowerportion 302, or both to ensure it is not lost during operation of thepump. The retaining arm 311 may also include a nubbin that may beinserted into receptacle 314 to protect the receptacle when it is not inuse.

The first power source 204 and the fluid displacement device 208, shownin FIG. 2, may be enclosed in the protective housing, shown in FIG. 3,remote from the second power source 206. The first power source 204 maydrive the fluid displacement device 208 when the second power source 206is depleted or not used. The first power source 204 may be positionedwithin the housing and may comprise a rechargeable battery pack. Therechargeable battery pack may comprise a plurality of rechargeablecells. Some cells may include approximately 1.2V cells, connected inseries and/or parallel. The rechargeable batteries may include NickelCadmium (“Ni-Cad”) cells and/or Nickel Metal Hydride (“Ni-MH”) cells,Lithium-Ion (“Li-Ion”) cells, or other rechargeable power sources.

When the second power source 206 is coupled to the pump 200 a portion ofits current may be supplied to the first power source 204 and a portionmay be supplied to the fluid displacement device 208. The portion ofcurrent supplied to the first power source 204 may be delivered at acontinuous rate such that each cell is brought to a re-charged level.Once the cells of the first power source 204 are at a substantiallyre-charged level, some or all of the current previously supplied to thefirst power source 204 may be re-routed to the fluid displacement device208. While the second power source 206 is supplying current to the firstpower source 204, the second power source 206 may also supply current tothe fluid displacement device 208. The second power source 206 may be analternating current (“AC”) source or a direct current (“DC”) source. Acable may couple pump 200 to second power source 206. When second powersource 206 is an AC source, the cable may comprise a transformer andrectifier that transforms an AC input into a DC output. The transformingdevice may transfer a constant or variable electric energy from onecurrent to another.

Alternatively, when the second power source 206 comprises a DC source, aDC input may be coupled to a DC source such as a vehicle battery. Acurrent regulator may couple the vehicle battery to the second powersource. In some devices the current regulator comprises a fuse or acircuit breaker.

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic of circuitry interfacing pump 200. Theschematic includes a fluid displacement device 208, a current regulator312, a first power source 204, a receptacle 314, a second power source206, a plurality of diodes 400, and a control device such as a switch316. The fluid displacement device 208 may comprise a motor 402, such asa direct current motor coupled to an impeller (not shown) which maypropel a fluid. The motor may be rated at approximately 12V . If a fluiddisplacement device 208 includes a motor 402, a device that storeselectrical energy, such as a capacitor 404, or a free wheeling diode,may be coupled across the motor's terminals to reduce radio interferenceor to suppress electrical transients. If a capacitor is used, some pumpsuse about a 0.01 microfarad capacitor. Other internal electrical storagedevices may be coupled between each motor terminal and the motor case tofurther reduce interference. A current regulator 312 that burns out oropens when current passing through it exceeds a certain level may becoupled to the fluid displacement device 208. In some pumps a fuse orcircuit breaker may be used. The fuse or circuit breaker may be rated toa predetermined current, such as about 12 amps and about 250V.

The first power source 204 may drive the fluid displacement device 208or may receive a portion of the current from the second power source206. The second power source 206 may be coupled to the pump 200 throughreceptacle 314. When the second power source 206 is coupled to the pump200, node “a” may be coupled to node “c” through a plug that completesthe circuit.

Two terminal semiconductor devices that restrict current flow chiefly inone direction couple the first power source 204. The semiconductordevices may comprise diodes. The plurality of diodes 400, shown in FIG.4, restricts the current flow in one channel of the circuit. Theplurality of diodes 400 provide a return path for the current suppliedto the first power source 204. The plurality of diodes 400 may include afirst diode rated with an average forward current of about 2.0 amps witha peak reverse voltage of about 20-about 60V, and a second diode ratedwith an average forward current of about 2.0 amps with a peak reversevoltage of about 50-about 1000V.

A controller or switch 316 may be coupled to the fluid displacementdevice 208. The switch 316 may be a solid state, electromechanical, ormechanical device or an automated device. The switch 316 may be locatedwithin the flange that couples the pump 200 to the inflatable object100, and may be operated automatically when the pump 200 is coupled tothe inflatable object 100. Alternatively, the switch 316 may be locatedin other paths of the current and may be manually operated. When thesecond power source 206 is coupled to the pump 200, and switch 316 isopen, some or all of the current from the second power source 206 may berouted to the first power source 204. Alternatively, when switch 316 isclosed, some or all of the current from the second power source 206 maybe routed to the first power source 204, while some or all of thecurrent from the second power source 206 may be routed to the fluiddisplacement device 208 at a substantially synchronous rate.

FIG. 5 is a partial circuit diagram of an alternate embodiment. Thecircuit may be configured to receive a first power source 500 or asecond power source 502. Additionally, the circuit may include a fluiddisplacement device 208, a current regulator 312, a receptacle 314, afirst plurality of diodes 400, a device that restricts current flow 504,a third power source 506, and a controller or switch 316. The pump 200may be configured to receive the first power source 500, the secondpower source 502, or drive the fluid displacement device 208 with thethird power source 506 if one of the first 500 or second 502 powersources is unavailable. When the first 500 or second 502 power source isnot present, the receptacle 314 may couple node “a” to node “b” drivingthe fluid displacement device 208 with current supplied from the thirdpower source 506. The third power source 506 may comprise a a pluralityof cells connected in series and/or parallel. The cells may compriseNi-Cad cells and/or Ni-MH cells, Li-Ion cells, or other rechargeablepower sources. The current driving the fluid displacement device 208 mayflow through switch 316 and a device that restricts current flow 504.

The pump 200 may couple either the first power source 500 or the secondpower source 502 through a cable. The first power source 500 maycomprise an AC power source, and the second power source 502 maycomprise a DC power source, such as a battery. When the first 500 orsecond 502 power source is coupled to pump 200 the receptacle 314 maycouple node “a” to node “c” through a plug to complete the circuit.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a pump. At act 600, an exemplary method ofdriving the pump begins when a second power source is detected. In thismethod, a switch located within a receptacle may couple the second powersource to the fluid displacement device. When the second power source isdetected, the switch may couple the second power source to the fluiddisplacement device. When the second power source is not detected, theswitch may couple the first power source to the fluid displacementdevice. If a control switch is open at act 602, the method returns toits starting point. Alternatively, if the control switch is closed atact 602, the first power source may drive the fluid displacement deviceat act 604 until: (1) the first power source fails to produce a currentnecessary to drive the fluid displacement device, (2) the control switchopens, or (3) the pump automatically shuts-off. The control switch mayclose upon actuation, such as when the pump is coupled to an inflatableobject and a substantially airtight seal is formed.

If the second power source is present, and the control switch is open,at act 606, the second power source may route some current to the firstpower source at act 608. The current provided to the first power sourcemay be provided to the first power source at a continuous rate. Thefirst power source may include a plurality of rechargeable cells thatmay be joined in parallel and/or series. The current provided to therechargeable cells may bring the cells to a substantially re-chargedlevel. After the cells have reached a substantially re-charged level,some of the current from the second power source may continue to besupplied to the cells to keep them charged.

When the control switch is closed, at act 606, some of the current fromthe second power source may be routed to the first power source at act610. Additionally, some of the current from the second power source maybe routed, at act 612, to the fluid displacement device. The amount ofcurrent routed to the first power source and to the fluid displacementdevice need not be equal. If the pump is still operating when the firstpower source has been substantially re-charged, some of the currentrouted to the first power source may be re-routed to the fluiddisplacement device. In some cases, current may be routed to the firstpower source to keep the cells re-charged.

Alternatively, if the control switch is opened (e.g., the pump isuncoupled from the inflatable device) and the first power source havenot yet reached a charged level, some of the current previously routedto the fluid displacement device may be re-routed to the first powersource. Current may continue to flow until the first power sourcereaches a charged level. After reaching a charged level, some of thecurrent from the second power source may continue to be supplied to thefirst power source to minimize parasitic loss.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except inlight of the attached claims and their equivalents.

1. A pump, comprising: a fluid displacement device; and a circuitcoupled to the fluid displacement device that drives the fluiddisplacement device; where the circuit routes a first current to a firstpower source, while a second current from the second power source isrouted to drive the fluid displacement device.
 2. The pump of claim 1,where the fluid displacement device is driven at a substantiallysynchronous rate.
 3. The pump of claim 2, where the first currentcomprises a portion of current from the second power source.
 4. The pumpof claim 3, where the circuit is configured to be coupled to analternating current and a direct current source.
 5. The pump of claim 4,further comprising a converter that transforms the alternating currentsource into a direct current.
 6. The pump of claim 5, where the secondpower source comprises an alternating current source.
 7. The pump ofclaim 5, where the second power source comprises a direct currentsource.
 8. The pump of claim 5, where the first power source and thesecond power source comprise a direct current source.
 9. The pump ofclaim 5, further comprising a controller to break a current path. 10.The pump of claim 9, further comprising a device coupled to the firstpower source that substantially restricts a third current flow in onedirection.
 11. The pump of claim 10, where the pump inflates aninflatable object.
 12. A pump, comprising: a fluid displacement device;and a circuit coupled to the fluid displacement device that drives thefluid displacement device; where the circuit is configured to receive afirst power source or a second power source to route a first current toa third power source, while routing a second current to drive the fluiddisplacement device.
 13. The pump of claim 12, where the third powersource comprises a direct current source.
 14. The pump of claim 13,where the first power source comprises an alternating current source.15. The pump of claim 14, where the first current comprise a portion ofcurrent from the first power source.
 16. The pump of claim 15, where thesecond power source comprises a direct current source.
 17. The pump ofclaim 16, where the first current comprises a portion of current fromthe second power source.
 18. A method of driving a pump, comprisingproviding a fluid displacement device; providing a circuit coupled tothe fluid displacement device, the circuit comprising a first powersource; coupling a second power source to the circuit; routing a firstcurrent to the first power source while routing a second current to thefluid displacement device.
 19. The method of claim 18, where the firstcurrent comprises a portion of current from the second power source. 20.The method of claim 19, where second power source comprises analternating current source.
 21. The method of claim 19, where the secondpower source comprises a direct current source.
 22. The method of claim19, where the first power source and the second power source comprise adirect current source.
 23. The method of claim 19, further comprisingthe step of coupling a controller to the pump to break a current path.24. A pump, comprising: means for displacing a fluid; and means forrouting a first current to a first power source while routing a secondcurrent from a second power source to the fluid displacement means. 25.A pump, comprising: means for displacing a fluid; and means for routinga first current to a third power source while routing a second currentfrom a first or second power source to the fluid displacement means.